CANNAHEALTH The Opioid Epidemic - Page 4

EDITORIAL

Greetings and a warm welcome to our second issue of CANNAHEALTH Magazine! We couldn’t be more excited to have made it to this point. Our second issue focuses on the growing opioid epidemic and veterans.

Opioid abuse is a serious public health issue. Drug overdose deaths are the leading cause of injury death in the United States. It is estimated that between 26.4 million and 36 million people abuse opioids worldwide, with an estimated 2.1 million people in the United States suffering from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers and heroin. We must stop identifying a problem we already know exists and start taking action!

An average of 20 veterans in the United States commit suicide every day, according to a U.S. Veteran’s Association report in 2016. These veterans suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The brave men and women that served their country with honor and dignity should be allowed the freedom of choice. To take away their choice of using cannabis should be unethical.

The articles in this issue emphasize the utility of cannabis as an effective soultion to the growing ailments that plague our nation. We are honored to share the work of so many committed and thoughtful professionals and advocates. Please make sure to read the wonderful contributors biographies after each article.

We appreciate your support and are so happy to have you as a reader of CANNAHEALTH Magazine.